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HAWC

Helping abused women, children, men, and nonbinary people live free from violence and fear

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  • Donate Now
  • Home
  • Domestic Violence
    • Is This Relationship Abusive?
    • Types of relationships
    • Myths about domestic violence
    • Why Leaving is Hard
    • Safety Tips
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Additional Resources
  • Services
    • 24-Hour Hotline
    • Advocacy & Education
    • Legal Advocacy
    • Hospital Advocacy
    • Children’s Services
    • Emergency Family Shelter
  • About HAWC
    • Annual Corporate Partnerships
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership Team and Board of Directors
    • Our Funders
    • Celebrating 40 Years
    • Careers
  • Give Help Now
    • Wish List
    • Volunteer
    • Create Change
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Walk for HAWC
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How to talk to your children about abuse

If you are a parent, you may not be the only one affected by the tension in your home.

You are here: Home / Get Help Now / Safety Tips / How to talk to your children about abuse

Plan

Sit down with your children and go over how to safely behave during violent outbursts:

  • Remind them not to get involved.
  • Find safe hiding spots.
  • Give them a list of important phone numbers to call if there is an emergency.
  • Create a code word so that your children know when to hide or leave the house.

Practice

After creating a plan, practice dialing important numbers, responding to the code word, finding hiding places within the house, or rehearsing an escape route.

Communicate

While many parents keep children from getting involved in abusive situations, it is important to talk to your children about what they might be witnessing. Tell your children that no one should ever be violent. Remind them that they did not cause the violence—abuse is never their fault. Reiterate that their safety is the number one priority during abusive outbursts.

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HAWC Locations

HAWC serves 23 cities on Massachusetts’ North Shore from the five central locations listed below.

  • Salem, MA 978-744-8552
  • Gloucester, MA 978-283-8642
  • Lynn, MA 781-592-9900
  • North Shore Medical Center 978-354-4383
  • For 24-hour support, call our hotline at: 1-800-547-1649
  • Para apoyo llama nuestra linea de 24 horas a 1-800-547-1649.

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